The protein encoded by this gene is a member of the dual specificity protein kinase family which acts as a mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinase kinase. MAP kinases also known as extracellular signal-regulated kinases (ERKs) act as an integration point for multiple biochemical signals. This protein kinase lies upstream of MAP kinases and stimulates the enzymatic activity of MAP kinases upon wide variety of extra- and intracellular signals. As an essential component of MAP kinase signal transduction pathway this kinase is involved in many cellular processes such as proliferation differentiation transcription regulation and development. [provided by RefSeq Jul 2008]